April 2011

April 27, 2011

We enjoyed a beautiful day this past Saturday for our fundraising boutique and raised a good amount of funds for the Single Mothers Outreach of Santa Clarita. I loved the social aspect of connecting with new people, catching up with neighbors, and chatting with everyone who stopped by. A BIG thank you to all who stopped by supporting our effort. Selling, however, is not my thing. I'd much rather leave that up to the retailers who carry my licensed products and focus on my strengths . . . creating art to warm your heart & home®.

Everyone in the art industry is gearing up for the big licening show, Surtex, held every year in NYC. This is where all the deals happen -

Here's a great video giving an inside view of the show and art licensing -

HOME ACCENTS TODAY is even asking Retailers to tell them about licensed products sayingLicensing continues to be a hot topic in the industry. Do you carry licensed products in your stores? Tell us about it in this very brief survey, the results of which will publish in an upcoming issue. This survey and report are sponsored by George Little Management and the New York International Gift Fair.To answer the survey, go here

April 19, 2011

I don't think there's anything that moves my heart more than the relationship I have with my two daughters and the wisdom, knowledge & understanding I hope to pass on to them so that when their wings are ready to take flight they will have what they need to realize their dream, share their gifts, and fulfill their purpose with grace & gratitude.

In connecting with DaAnne Smith, SMO's Executive Director I asked her to share some thoughts with us:

{Terri} In looking at the SMO blog, I see there has been lots of activity with Single Mothers Outreach. Our Designer Boutique & Inventory sale on behalf of the organization is just in time for Mother’s Day shopping, and will be a valuable opportunity to bring greater awareness to the community and to our customers about SMO and its upcoming events.

What can you share about the the "Make a Mother’s Day" on May 7th, and the next "Empowering ♥ARTS" event scheduled for November 19, 2011:

{DaAnne} Mother's Day is not quite the same in a single parent home. It is usually dad who buys flowers and a meal out. SMO “Makes a Mother's Day” by treating our moms who show evidence of moving forward with a couple hours of affirmation and encouragement. This year, up to eighty of our moms will be treated to a free lunch, courtesy of Buca Di Beppo. SOS Entertainment is doing the entertainment, Bake You Happy is providing dessert, Valencia Florist is providing corsages, and Dove Chocolate Discoveries will be donating chocolates. Orly also wants to affirm a mother’s value by providing a free manicure and a special surprise for 25 of our mothers. This program is an opportunity for us to say, "You are very important” to the moms in our program.

The Empowering ♥ARTS event scheduled for November 19, 2011 is an opportunity for SMO to celebrate women, the arts and community. This year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers” will celebrate women’s stories of breaking through economic, health, racial, and gender barriers. Local artists will be invited to tell her story visually – and the one who tells the most compelling story will walk away with the grand prize.

To get involved, “Like” Empowering ♥ARTS Facebook page and enter the contest! Artists will be chosen by our committee and the community. The art submitted for the contest will be juried, so this is a great way to share talents. Also, if you know a woman who has broken through a barrier, let us know about her and why her story should be told - Submit nominations here.

I've often written about hope here on my blog and giving hope is a cornestone endeavor for Single Mothers Outreach. DaAnne shared with me how recently Single Mothers Outreach had a single mom come to them, "near the end of her hope: she was homeless and jobless with no transportation. We helped her find clothing for job interviews and paid for a bus pass so she could get to her interviews. She landed a job and is now renting a room and is rebuilding her life with the help of Single Mothers Outreach."

Single Mothers Outreach has also helped moms return to college when that is the best option for her future, and DaAnne feels that perhaps one of the most important things they do is to encourage these moms and communicate to each one, "we believe in her."

Thank you, DaAnne.

The Single Mothers Outreach is empowing single mothers and their children one heart at a time.

Terri Conrad Designs is honored to support its efforts this Saturday, April 23rd

April 16, 2011

I love my trade magazines - those magazines published for those of us who do biz in the gift & home dec world. They bring all the latest trends right to my doorstep, well my mailbox anyway.

In the current issue of Home Accents Today, retailers are reporting transitional style is a best seller by 52% -

Transitional Style(also known as “updated classic”, “classic with a contemporary twist”) is described as a new take on old classics in interior design and furniture design referring to a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, incorporating lines that are less ornate than traditional designs, but not as severely basic as contemporary lines. The result is classic, timeless and clean. I quite like that, how about you?

oh, and here's a lovely reflection (ooh, like that little pun?) of transitional lighting. I want this kitchen (xoxo)

Curves combined with straight lines in a transitional style interior will deliver a look that balanced with both masculine and feminine attributes for a comfortable, shared living.

My little abode is in quite a disarray at the moment. We have taken some pieces to a wonderful consignment shop to sell, thoughtfully purchased just a couple new pieces, and we are moving lots and lots around to make it all more functional and beautiful - trying to work with what is, a limited budget, some fresh paint color and quite a lot of ingenuity. I am eager to share the results - and my before and after pics.

My new home office inspiration comes from my newest Botanique collection of home dec products licensed and produced by the wonderfully fabulous top drawer home dec manufacturer, Creative Co-Op. I am off to Home Depot to purchase paint in these two colors . . .the orange will be a back accent wall, that I will stencil a lovely damask pattern in a distressed fashion in a very soft ivory, the ceiling and walls are already that lovely wheatgrass ivory (but need a fresh coat of paint anyway) - the window coverings will be a soft, brushed linen (possibly ticking). Oh, I can see it all finishied and ready to resume work.

Want a peek at my inspiration - so, what do you think?

We are also preparing for a big fundraising event scheduled for April 23rd on behalf of the Single Mothers Outreach. I am so excited to be able to support this organization and will share an interview with its executive director, and more info about the organization in the next couple days.